No fewer than 16 members of the House of Representatives have defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), deepening the wave of political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.

The defections were officially announced during Tuesday’s plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who read out the names of the lawmakers on the floor of the Green Chamber.

The legislators cited “unresolved crises” within the ADC as the primary reason for their decision to leave the party, pointing to ongoing internal disagreements that have continued to affect its stability.

Among those who defected are Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande, Munachim Umezuruike, Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, and Abdulhakeem Ado.

The move comes amid a broader shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, as key figures such as Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso have also recently aligned with the NDC.

Their defection is believed to be part of efforts to consolidate opposition forces and create a stronger, more unified platform capable of challenging the ruling party in the next general elections.

Political observers say the growing number of defections signals deepening cracks within the ADC, while positioning the NDC as an emerging force in Nigeria’s evolving political scene.